Historic Milwaukee racetrack behind on bills

MILWAUKEE --- The Milwaukee Mile's past includes more than a century's worth of auto racing's biggest names, from A.J. Foyt to the Unsers and the Andrettis. Now the track's promoters are behind on payments to NASCAR and the Indy Racing League, leaving its future uncertain.

The Milwaukee Mile held its two biggest events of the year over the past month: An IndyCar series race May 31 and NASCAR's Nationwide and Camping World Trucks series races June 20.

The dates drew decent crowds, but the track's promoters still are struggling to meet their financial obligations.

Promoters have paid prize money to teams but have not fully paid sanctioning fees owed to NASCAR and the IRL.

"As a matter of policy, I won't get into the specifics of our business dealings, however, I can say we are working closely with the track management to resolve outstanding issues," NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said.

IRL spokesman John Griffin said league officials are trying to set up a meeting to work things out. Until they do, the track's date on next year's schedule is in limbo.

The track bills itself as the oldest active auto racing facility in the country, holding its first race in 1903 -- eight years before the first Indianapolis 500.

INDY SPEEDWAY CEO OUT: Tony George has been asked to step down as president and CEO of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and his family's business, and it isn't clear how closely he'll stay tied to day-to-day operations of the Indy Racing League.

The board of directors of the speedway and Hulman & Company announced Tuesday that a new management team will take over the Hulman-George companies effective July 1.

The Hulman-George family has run the track, the home of the Indianapolis 500, for six decades and also owns the IRL and Clabber Girl, a baking-powder company based in Terre Haute, Ind.